Roofing has more bad actors per capita than almost any other home-services trade. The reason is simple — high ticket prices, low overhead to start a "company," and a customer base that buys once every 25 years and has no way to compare quality. Here is how to filter them out before they take your deposit.
§ IRed flags (walk away)
- 1Knocks on your door the day after a storm. Reputable local roofers do not work that way.
- 2Offers to "waive your deductible" — that is felony insurance fraud in Texas under state law.
- 3Pressures you to sign today for a "limited-time price."
- 4Refuses to provide a Texas license number, insurance certificate, or local references when asked.
- 5Quotes a price wildly below other bids (more than 25 percent below the middle estimate).
- 6Wants more than 25 percent of the total as a deposit before materials are on-site.
- 7Address on the business card is a PO box, or the office turns out to be a residential address.
- 8No physical office you can visit — only a phone number and a Facebook page.
§ IIQuestions to ask every contractor
- How long have you been operating in this specific area? (Look for 5+ years local presence)
- What is your Texas Department of Insurance roofing registration number? (Every legitimate Texas roofer has one)
- Can I see a recent certificate of insurance for general liability AND workers comp? (Workers comp matters — without it, an injured worker can sue YOU as the property owner)
- Who is the on-site project manager and what is their phone number?
- Do you use your own crews or subcontract? (Direct crews give you more accountability)
- What manufacturer warranty are you registered to issue? (GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum, etc.)
- What is your written workmanship guarantee?
- Can I have three references from work completed in the last 12 months?
§ IIIVerify everything they tell you
- License: tdi.texas.gov has a public lookup tool
- Insurance: call the carrier listed on the certificate to verify it is current
- References: actually call them, ask about cleanup, timeline, and warranty service after the sale
- BBB and Google reviews — read the bad ones, look for patterns
§ IVThe bid sheet you should request
A real estimate should be itemized:
- Tear-off and disposal (specify number of layers if relevant)
- Decking replacement (number of sheets included, $/sheet beyond that)
- Underlayment (manufacturer + product name)
- Ice-and-water shield (location and coverage)
- Shingles (manufacturer, product, color)
- Flashing (new install, not reuse)
- Ridge vent and ridge cap
- Cleanup and magnet sweep
- Workmanship guarantee terms
If the bid is one line that says "roof replacement: $14,800," ask for the breakdown. A contractor who will not itemize is a contractor who is hiding something.
End · Homeowner Guides
